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A review by gtbenathan
Brother's Ruin by Emma Newman
5.0
This is a review in 4 parts:
1. The world - Very vivid. I felt immersed in it. The ideas weren't something that were entirely new to me, but the way she went about it was beautiful. The magic system was handwave-y but who cares because the schools of learning idea as well as the law behind all of it (plus the corruption) was brilliant.
2. The story and characters - I loved these characters. I felt so drawn to the main characters and the magicians that were the supporting ones. Their interactions seemed genuine and period accurate. The story had a great flow and felt natural. Nothing about it was forced.
3. The writing itself - Emma Newman is a freaking maestro of the novella. It's hard to get a lot of story in, have it feel full, not seem rushed, and leave you wanting more in fiction of that length. This is her wheelhouse and it shows. I want the next one SOOOOO badly, but will have to wait a bit.
4. The narration - I've previously called her narration "some fine-ass readin'" and that is still accurate, but I think underselling. She is SO good at adding emotion to the characters and infusing them with personality. I know it's her work, but knowing exactly when to give slightly more space in a sentence is an art and she excels at it. Easily my favorite narrator.
1. The world - Very vivid. I felt immersed in it. The ideas weren't something that were entirely new to me, but the way she went about it was beautiful. The magic system was handwave-y but who cares because the schools of learning idea as well as the law behind all of it (plus the corruption) was brilliant.
2. The story and characters - I loved these characters. I felt so drawn to the main characters and the magicians that were the supporting ones. Their interactions seemed genuine and period accurate. The story had a great flow and felt natural. Nothing about it was forced.
3. The writing itself - Emma Newman is a freaking maestro of the novella. It's hard to get a lot of story in, have it feel full, not seem rushed, and leave you wanting more in fiction of that length. This is her wheelhouse and it shows. I want the next one SOOOOO badly, but will have to wait a bit.
4. The narration - I've previously called her narration "some fine-ass readin'" and that is still accurate, but I think underselling. She is SO good at adding emotion to the characters and infusing them with personality. I know it's her work, but knowing exactly when to give slightly more space in a sentence is an art and she excels at it. Easily my favorite narrator.